Last year 1,368 affordable homes were delivered across all local authorities in the state. Galway City Council did not deliver any affordable homes, according to SF candidate Mark Lohan.
That record stands in stark contrast to the city councillors purchase of a new City Hall at Crown Square in Mervue. The move on deciding this was done in a rush we would love to see in housing delivery. However, affordable housing delivery was not a priority, said former Cllr Lohan.
“The cost of the fit out of the new city hall is now reported to be larger than first expected, further adding to the failure of acting in haste”, added the council candidate for Sinn Féin.
“Delivering affordable homes will be a cornerstone of Sinn Féin in local government. Our alternative budget last year funded the building of 8000 affordable homes per year. Half at affordable purchase and half at cost rental, stated Lohan
“Housing is our priority, and it is the single biggest issue Galway citizens are raising with me on the canvass every night and weekend. Never have so many been left out and left behind,” he said.
“The housing crisis is a political made crisis and it can be solved with political will, effort and a new approach. The failed policies of the past can be changed. Galway city has the land in its ownership, but this current city council lacks the political will and energy to get a result,” said Mark Lohan.
“There are too many of our citizens prevened form growing in their lives because they are stuck at home unable to afford to move out. We are delaying a whole generation in developing and building full lives for themselves. That is the result of poor planning lack of foresight and no delivery by successive Fianna Fail and Fine Gael governments, said the council candidate.
